Impaired valve function, resulting in incomplete sealing, generates a condition where a retrograde flow of blood occurs. This irregularity can manifest across various cardiac valves, preventing their complete and coordinated closure during the cardiac cycle. A common example is mitral regurgitation, where blood leaks back into the left atrium during ventricular systole, rather than proceeding forward into the aorta.
The impact of this functional deficit is significant. It can lead to increased cardiac workload, chamber enlargement, and ultimately, heart failure. Historically, diagnosis relied heavily on auscultation, with characteristic heart murmurs signaling the presence of this type of valvular issue. Advances in echocardiography now allow for precise quantification of the severity of the backflow and assessment of its impact on cardiac structure and function.
